This textbook is the most recent edition and has been updated inline with contemporary legislation and the new building regulations. This is both to British and European standards. The text book has a clear index which allows you to navigate easily and the bibliography gives you good background reading if you need to find further research.
The second literarture review is a research paper about roofs and climate change released from the BRE.
BRE digest – Designing roofs for climate change – Modifications to good practice guidance- Digest 499
This digest is about new roofs being built which have taken into account the current climate change. It gives recommendations on proposed modifications to guidance on good practice for many types of roof in light of predicted climate changes. It is “based on the views of roofing industry experts as part of a partners in innovation project led by the BRE”.
This digest was only released in May 2006 so is up to date but any paper to do with climate change that has been issued in the last few years should be more than adequate as the climate has not changed enough over that time period.
The way it is layed out makes it really easy to follow. I find that this also helps from a research point of view as you can scan quickly for the bold heading of information you are looking for, then find your required source easily in the more specific text underneath. An example of this would be when looking for pitched roof information. ‘Pitched Roof’ is clearly shown in bold with a general overview on them is underneath, followed by a recommended modification section to combat the climate changes. This clearly addresses what the research paper claims to do, which is give alternatives to current roof designs.
There are not too many diagrams within this research paper. The most noteable one though is a map of the British Isles showing wind speed zones. This is really beneficial and again helps answer any questions regarding roofs and climate issues.
This research paper is one of the best in its group due to the fact that it is issued by the BRE.
“The BRE digests are authoritative summaries of the state of the art on specific topics in construction design and technology” . (Building research Establishment, 2006, P8)
“BRE is the UK’s leading centre of expertise on the built environment construction, sustainability, energy and many associated issues”. (Building research establishement, 2006, p8)
Both these quotes show that this is a reliable and approved source of information. There is also good referencing if you did require to do further reading and the references also include the codes from the British Standards Institution.
The final review that I will conduct is an article about a new designing program taken from the building service journal.
Building Services Journal: The magazine of CIBSE – “Green from the word go” article
This review is on an article taken from a journal relating to building services and utilisation. The article is taken from The Building Service Journal, that was released in February 2006. This is obviously a few months old, which some would say could damage the sources value, but as the article is someones opinion it doesn’t effect it. Their opinion should still be the same now as it was then. This is how I know that this journal is not refereed. In order for it to be refereed the contents must be approved by a group of people or an organisation. This has just been approved by an editor making the source less valuable than the previous two types of literature.
An overview of the article is about a new computer program that will allow architects to design a structure showing its sustainable credentials before its been constructed. This allows the architect the opportunity to address the situation early, therefore saving time and money.
The article is spaced out over three A4 pages which are easy to follow. The diagrams within the article are excellent support. They help explain what the text is trying to say. The pictures show what the computer program would look like on a screen and an example of what it can do by showing a hospital design and how the program encorporated shading techniques to its maximum potential.
They claim that this program will change the way that architects design new structures, but will architects actually want to change their preferred methods? Only each individual can answer that and the program hasn’t been used regularly as of yet. It could well be the beggining or a new era in architects designing but we can’t be sure until the program is used enough within the industry. It did however win the BSRIA/BSJ bright spark award. Is this another sign for undoubted success.
“In recognition of its contribution to the design of sustainable buildings the tool was the overall winner in the prestigious BSRIA/BSJ bright spark awards.”(Spires, 2006, P34).
Again this article is just someones opinion so not everyone will agree with it but it does come from a good source. The building services journal is a recognised source that is read and written by professionals. It is the magazine of the CIBSE.
There is minimal referencing as the editors decide what will be included and who’s opinion in their eyes is the best. This makes the article an interesting read but not an approved piece of information on its own. You could however find comparables to back up the points its making so make it more beneficial from a research point of view.
References
Chudley, R & Greeno, R. (2006). Advanced Construction Technonlgy. Pearson education limited.
Spires, B. (2006). Green from the word go. Building services journal: The magazine of CIBSE.
Building Research Establishment. (2006). Designing roofs for Climate change, modifications to good practice guidance (BRE digest 499). BRE.
